Anonymous asked: I tend to think up all the bad things that could happen in the near future. For example I get really scared that I might be alone in big groups of people. It's really terrifying that I get all worked up over nothing. I don't know how to get over my fears which aren't ever really a big deal for other people but bother me.
You would be surprised by how many people actually have a fear of the future, but it’s more of an anxiety of not knowing if you’ll be ready for it. I used to suffer from anxiety and when I was 4, I remember being afraid to die and would sometimes start screaming about it to my mother (I had other issues as well back then, this was just one of them).
There are a few ways you could get over your fears, but each one takes some amount of time and repetition to do in order to get by. One of the ways is to put yourself in such a situation. Find a local place where you know there is a giant crowd of people and put yourself in the middle of it. You’re alone, yes, but hopefully you’ll find that you’re not lost and it’s not that bad if you know where you came from.
Looking about it rationally isn’t always helpful since I’m sure that you realize how silly it might be and how much of a waste of your time and life it is to worry about such things. Don’t let this anxiety stand in your way. With every thought that comes across your head, try to think of something the complete opposite. Call it forced optimism if you’d like, but it could help. Like give out a thought such as “If I get on this train, it will crash and derail and I will die.” I’m not saying that you think to this extreme, I’m just giving an example. And instead think “If I get on this train, I’ll arrive to my destination.”
I’m curious, though, as to what you do when you find yourself in an unsettling situation? Do you panic? Or do you find yourself decently well of despite your worries?
Anxiety and fear hold us back, but if you find a way to get through with determination, you’ll find how much more you’ll be living. You’re not alone in this and there’s usually a way out. Sometimes, and this is what worked for me, you just have to tell yourself to shut up and just do it despite your worries.
Feel free to message me back if you have any thoughts or more questions.
